Charge-synchronizing means for concrete mixers



Dec. 6, 1927. 1,652,151 1.. TRANAAS CHARGE SYNCHRONIZING MEANS FOR CONCRETE MIXERS Filed Nov. 25. 1926 I5 Sheets-Sheet. 1

Dec. 6, 1927. 1,652,151

E. TRANAAS CHARGE SYNCHRONIZING MEANS FOR CONCRETE MIXERS Filed Nov. 23. 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet2 Dec. 6, 1927. 1,652,151

E. TRANAAS CHARGE SYNCHRONIZING MEANS FOR CONCRETE MIXERS Filed Nov. 2.'5, 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Dec. 6, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,

EMIL L. TRANAAS, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR TO KOEHRING COMPANY, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, A CORPORATION.

CHARGE-SYNCHRONIZIN G MEANS FOR CONCRETE MIXERS.

Application filed November 23, 1926.

The present invention has reference to charge synchronizing means for concrete mixers, and especially provides a water control by means of which the delivery of the water content to the mixing chamber is regulated in its relation to the delivery of the skip charges of batch materials.

For reasons quite well known to those familiar with concrete mixing operations, it is very desirable, if not entirely essential, that the charging of the skip materials into the mixer should be effected simultaneously with the introduction of the water content and in fact, to obtain the maximum mixing eflicieney, the Water should enter slightly before the skip materials and continue flowing throughout the skip charging period. This method of operation is particularly importantin the mixing of relatively large batches where volume is at a maximum and thorough working of the batch is carefully maintained by rigid inspection, but it is to be understood that the invention about to be set forth is equally applicable to all mixes regardless of the size.

Unless the method of operation just referred to is followed dry spots, as they are known to concrete engineers, will occur before the water reaches the chamber or after the water has ceased to flow. The proper and most effective operation, therefore, is to introduce the water through a cycle which overlaps the skip charging cycle.

It is to this end that the present invention provides means for regulating the flow of water to the mixing chamber for the concrete materials, broadly speaking, and more specifically @to such regulation regardless of the quantity of water employed or the variation of the quantity which may be required for different sized batches.

The invention comprises essentially a regulatable valve means arranged in the water line leading to the mixing chamber or'drum of a mixer, regulated to control the rate of flow of water thereto so that the time of flow will take place within a predetermined fixed period irrespective of the amount of water to be charged into the drum.

It is furtheran object to provide, in combination with means for varying the measured quantity of water to be delivered to the drum, a means for concurrently adjusting the Water varying and the flow control and the novel features thereof defined by the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a view of a conventional type of concrete mixer to which the invention of this application is applied as an exemplification of the principle;

Figure 2 is an enlarged detail view of the water measuring tank, the adjusting means for the measuring device associated therewith and the flow control means cooperating with these instrumentalities and forming the subject matter of this invention, parts being broken away and shown in section;

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken at right angles to the view shownin Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a View in elevation of a slightly modified arrangement of the invention;

Figure 5 is a transverse sectional view on the line 55 of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is an enlarged detail view showing the mounting of the connection between the measuring tube and the flow control valve by means of which the indicator device shown in Figure 4 is operated;

Figure 7 is a detail view of the end of the measuring tube mounted in the tank;

Figure 8 is a detail view showing the connection of the flow regulating valve actuating arm with the flexible carrier of the indicator device;

Figure 9 is an enlarged sectional view of another simplified modification of the invention; and

Figure 10 is a view in elevation showing the combined indicator and actuating arm for adjusting the measuring tube and cooperating flow control valve.

Like characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several figures of the drawing.

-Referring to the drawings, and particularly to Figure 1, A designates the frame of a conventional type of concrete mixer upon which is mounted the drum B having its charging and discharging openings 0 and D at the respective ends thereof. A skip E for charging the aggregate materials into the drum is shown in elevated position and upon the top of the frame is located the usual water measuring tank F which communicates with the interior of the drum through the flow pipe G. In this pipe is located a Valve H which in the conventional apparatus referred to is a three-way valve controlling the admission of water into the tank F from a suitable source I .and initiation of the flow of the water to the drum through the pipe G. This valve may 'be actuated automatically through the connection of the rod J, connected to the valve at one end and to a trip member K at its other end which trip member is actuated by a projection L mounted on the skip. In other words, in the movement of the skip to its elevated or charging position the trip member K is actuated and this in turn shifts the valve H to start the flow of the water from the tank F into the mixing drum.

It is to be understood that the details of the apparatus hereinbefore described are well known and they therefore form no part of this invention excepting as they are asso I ciated with the features of the device which is applied to the mixer apparatus described and cooperate in the production of the novel result.

I have further' illustrated this invention I in connection with a water measuring apparatus of the type disclosed in the co-pending application of E. H. Lichtenberg, Serial No. 115,310, filed June 11th, 1926-, but it is to be understood that this particular type of measuring device may. readily be modified or entirely dispensed'with in lieu of a different form of water'measuring means.

' As set forth in the application aforesaid, a water measuring or siphon pipe 1 is mounted within the tank F and formed with a horizontal neck extension 2 which passes outwardly of the tank through the fitting 3 and the gear housing 4, to which the outer flow pipe 'G is connected. The angular adjustment ofthe pipe 1 determines the quantity of water which is to be discharged from the water tank F, this quantity being subject to variation in order to regulate-the water content of. the mix according to whether thisis to be wet'or dry. Obviously also the variation of the quantity of water to be charged into the mixer depends upon the size of theparticular batch or batches which are introduced into the drum by the skip.

For the purpose of adjusting the, pipe 1' there is employed a worm: 5 which coacts with a segmental gear 6' formed on the outer end of the horizontal section 2 of the pipe.

The worm is carried by theadjusting shaft r 7 which extends through the packin gland 8 and carriesvat its outer end a ban wheel 9 by means of which to rotate the worm in opposite directions for changing the elevation of the entrance of the pipe 1 within the water tank.

In Figures 2 and 3 I have omitted the illustration of the valve H as this may be of any desired construction and merely acts in the operation of thisdevice as a means for initiating the flow of the water from the tank F or cutting off the passage while the tank is being filled. At a point in the pipe G below this valve .is located a flow control valve 10 which is of the butterfly type, or some other convenient form of valve device. The extremity of the valve stem carries a crank arm 11 and preferably in this form of device-a spring 12 encircles the stem and tends to maintain the valve in a that the connection may be readily adjusted so that the valve 10 will be adjusted in the proper manner by the operation of the shaft 7, so that the opening in the flow pipe G will be properly proportioned with relation to the volume of water which is to be discharged from the water tank F. The end of the cable 14 passes through the connecting ele ment 15 and is tensioned by a spring 16 which is-secured to an adjacent fixed part of the apparatus. This form of connection between the spool 13 and the valve permits the slack in the cable produced by stress to be taken up at all times.

Mounted upon brackets 17 attached to the flexible-cable 14, as best seen in Figure 3 of the drawing.

In the operation of this form of the device the tank F is filled with water in the customary manner and the measuring pipe 1 is adjustable by operation of the hand wheel 9 to predetermine the quantity of water which is to be discharged from the. tank as indicated by the indicator 1819. This adjustment simultaneously adjusts'the position of the valve 10 so that the openingln the pipe is properly proportioned with respect to the volume of Water which is to be charged into the drum that it will always require a predetermined period of time in its flow. This is the important feature of my invention which is designed to maintain the flow of water into the mixing drum for a constant period of time irrespective of the quantity of the water which is charged into the drum from the tank F. That is to say this quantity is subject to variation and where the quantity is varied or increased from that amount which the apparatus is set for, as above described, it is obvious that to introduce this increased quantity into the drum in the same period of time the opening produced by the flow control valve 10 must necessarily be increased. On the contrary, when the quantity to be discharged from the tank F is less than that for which the adjustment has been made the opening of the valve 10 must necessarily be decreased. Therefore, by a proper construction and arrangement of the connection between the valve 10 and the quantity varying means including the shaft 7 I am able to obtain the simultaneous setting of the measuring tube or device in thetank and said flow control valve.

In the operation of this "arrangement in relation to the charging of the materials into the drum by the skip E, I am able by this invention to-maintain the flow of the water into the drum throughout a period which overlaps the material charging cycle. That is to say, by way of an example, the adjustment of the water flow is proportioned in relation to the charging period which remains a fixed factor. If, for example, this period constitutes eight seconds, the charging period'of the water is preferably approximately ten seconds, initiating one second before the, charging of the materials and terminating one second after the charging of the materials. These two factors therefore are maintained constant in their relation to each other regardless of the variation in the quantity of water which is charged into the drum through the instrumentality of the measuring device described.

In Fi ures 4 to 7 I have shown a slightly modifie arrangement for producing the same results which have been described with reference to the preferred forms shown in Figures 1 to 3. The same instrumentalities for actuating the measuring pipe 1 are employed, these being omitted from the drawing in Figure 4 owing to the clear disclosure in Figure 2. However, instead of mounting the spool for the cable 14 upon the actuating shaft 7 I train this cable in the modified construction around a spool unit which consists of the spool proper 13 carried by' a crank shaft 7 passing through a. packing gland 8 into the interior of the tank and connecting with the eye 1 formed on the endof the measuring pipe or tube 1.

This unit also includes a pointer 19 which is arranged to coact with graduation marks 18 applied to the surface of the tank. cable 14 is trained around the pulleys 20 and 20 and connects with the valve stem of the valve 10 in the manner described with reference to the preferred form. As in the previous instance, the operation of the adjusting wheel 9 by means of which the siphon pipe 1 cator and the flow valve 10 to be adjusted.

In that form of the device which is illustrated in Figures 9 and 10, I have considerably simplified the construction. The measuring tube 1 is mounted in the tank in any of the customary ways but in this instance its free end is formed with a squared face to receive a gate valve 10, slidably held relative to the mouth of the tube by suitable guides 10-", one only of which is shown in Figure 9 by reason of the breaking away of the end of the tube. This valve is operated by a lever arm 7 to which it is pivotally secured-at 7, and said arm is in turn connected to the shaft 7 This shaft extends through the side wall of the tank and is properly hushed against leakage in any well known manner. On the outer end of the shaft is mounted a sectional arm consisting of the fixed section 19 and a pivoted section 19, the latter constituting a pointer arranged to coact with the indicator plate 19. A knob 19 serves as manipulating means for the combined pointer and actuating arm which is held at adjusted positions by engagement in the notches 19 in the plate 19 by means of the spring 19".

In operation, the position of the tube for determining the quantity of the water or other liquid to be discharged is 'set by withdrawing the pointer from the engagement with the plate 19 and rocking the shaft 7 about its axis until said pointer is opposite the calibration of the desired amount, when reengagement-is effected by release of said ointer. This rocking movement obviously The is raised or lowered, causes the indi- Ion shifts the valve 10 so as to regulate thesize of the opening into the tube. Specifically, as the tube is raised from the full line position where the size of the opening is indicated by the arrows X, to the dotted line position in Figure 9, the area of said opening is reduced to the size indicated by the arrows Y. Thus the greater quantity of water will be discharged in the same period of time as the lesser amount. The advantage of this construction resides in the simplicity of its construction and the ease with which the simultaneous adjustment of the tube and the valve may be accomplished by the actuating means for the valve which in turn effects actuation of the measuring tube.

The same results are therefore obtained with this type of device and I desire it to be particularly understood that other modifications may be made within the purview of the claims and without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. A concrete mixer comprising means for charging materials thereinto, a water supply conduit therefor, and regulatable means cooperating with said conduit for variably controlling the flow of predetermined quantities of water in relation to the period of charging by said material charging means.

2. A concrete mixer comprising means for charging materials thc'reinto. a water supply conduit therefor, means for initiating the flow of water from said conduit, and separate means for controlling the flow of the variable. quantities of water in relation to the period of charging the materials by said material charging means.

3; A concrete mixer comprising skip charing means, means for delivering to the mixer a measured quantity of water, and means for variably regulating the flow of the water from said measuring means in accordance .with the quantity to be delivered so as to continue the flow throughout the charging of the materials by the skip charging means aforesaid for the different quantities of water.

4. A concrete mixer comprising skip charging means, means for delivering to the mixer variable measured quantities of water, and means for regulating the flow of water from said measuring means proportioned to the uantity to be delivered so as to maintain t 1e flow of water throughout the period of the charging of the materials by the skip char ing means.

5.?[11 a concrete mixer, the combination with a drum, skip charging means therefor, and a water tank having a flow pipe leading to said drum, of means for variably controlling the rate of flow of water from said tank in respect to different quantities in such manner as to overlap the period of charging by the skip charging means.

6. In a concrete mixer, the combination with a drum, skip charging means therefor, a water tank, and means associated therewith for delivering variable quantities of water therethrough to the drum, of means for maintaining the rate of flow of water from said tank constant for the different quantities of water.

.1 In a concrete mixer, the combination with a drum, skip charging mean-s therefor, a water tank, and means for initiating the flow of water therefor in relation to the char ing ofthe materials into the drum by the srip chargin means, of separate means to variably re ate the flow of the water so as to maintain a continuation of such flow throughout the period of charging of the materials.

8. In a concrete mixer, the combination with a mixing chamber, charging means for charging materials into said chamber, a water tank, and a measuring device thereon for predetermining the quantity of water to be delivered at a single charge from said tank, of a valve device for regulating the flow of the measured quantity, and adjusting means for said measuring device and flow regulating means.

9. In a concrete mixer, the combination with a mixing chamber, charging means for charging materials into said chamber, a,

water tank, and a measuring device thereon for predetermining the quantity of water to be delivered at a single charge from said tank, of a valve device for regulating the flow of the measured quantity, adjusting means for said measuring device and flow regulating means, and a cut-off valve intermediate the flow regulating device and the tank operable incident to the charging of the materials by the charging means aforesaid.

10. In a concrete mixing apparatus of the class described, the combination with a mixing receptacle, means for charging materials into said receptacle, :1 water tank, means for delivering variable quantities of Water from said tank to the mixing receptacle, an indicator device for determining the quantity of water to be delivered, of flow control means for regulating the period of time in which the predetermined quantity of water is to be delivered to the mixing receptacle, and common means for adjusting the measuring device, the flow control means and the indicator.

11. In a device for discharging measured quantities of liquid, a tank, discharging means therefor, and means cooperating with said discharging means to maintain the period of discharging constant for variable quantities of liquid delivered by said tank.

12. In a device fo discharging measured quantities of liquid, a tank, discharging means therefor including a valve, and separate means cooperating with said discharging means for regulating the flow of liquid initiated by said valve.

13. In a device for discharging measured quantities of liquid, a tank, means for initiating flow and discharging a variable quantity of liquid from said tank, and separate means for controlling the rate of flow of liquid in such manner as to require a. predetermined fixed period of time for the varied quantities.

14. In a device for dischargin measured quantities of liquid, a tank, ischarging means therefor including a measuring device arranged in the tank and adjustable to vary the quantity of liquid discharged therefrom, and means for variably regulating the flow of the liquid in proportion to the particular quantity to be discharged, said last named means being adjustable with the adjustment of the discharging means.

15. In a device for discharging measured quantities of liquid, a tank, discharging means therefor including a measuring device arranged in the tank and adjustable to vary the quantity of liquid discharged therefrom, and means connected to the discharging means for variably regulating the flow of the liquid in proportion to the particular quantity to be discharged so that the time elapsing for discharge remains constant for the different quantities.

16. In a device for discharging measured quantities of liquid, a tank having a discharge opening, a measuring device in said tank adjustable to vary the quantity of liquid to be discharged from said tank, and means for proportioning the operative area of the discharge opening in relation to the measured quantity of liquid to be discharged.

17. In a device for discharging measured quantities of liquid, a tank having a discharge pipe, a measuring tube in said tank adjustable to vary the quantity of liquid to be discharged through said pipe, and a simultaneously adjustable valve in the pipe for regulating the flow of liquid therethrough according to the quantity of liquid, to be discharged.

18. In a device for discharging measured quantities of liquid, a tank having a discharge pipe, a measuring tube in said tank, means to adjust the height of the tube to vary the quantity of liquid to be discharged from said tank, and a valve in the discharge pipe operable with the measuring tube for regulating the flow of the liquid passing therethrough in relation to the quantity of liquid to be discharged.

19. In a device for discharging measured quantities of liquid, a tank having a discharge pipe, a cut-off valve in said pipe, a measuring tube in the tank adjustable to vary the quantity of liquid to be discharged from said pipe, and a second valve in the discharge pipe for regulating the flow of the liquid therethrough when the first mentioned valve has been opened to discharge the measured liquid from said tank.

20. In a device for discharging measured quantities of liquid, a tank, a measuring device therein for predetermining the quantity of liquid in the tank to be discharged, means for regulating thefiow of the discharged liquid, and common means for adjusting the measuring device and regulating means whereby t/o proportion the flow to the quantity to be discharged.

21. In a device for discharging measured quantities of liquid, a tank, a measuring device therein for predetermining the qlqantity of liquid in the tank to be dis- 0 arged, means for regulating the flow of the discharged liquid, operating means, and connections between the operating means, the measuring device and regulating means.

22. In a device for discharging measured quantities of liquid. a tank, a measuring device thereon for predetermining the quantity of liquid in the tank to be discharged, a regulating device for regulating the How of the discharged liquid, and operating means connected to one of said devices and having connection with the other for simultaneous adjustment of the two devices.

28. In a device of the class described, a tank, a measuring device therein for predeterming the quantity of liquid in the tank to be discharged, operating means for adjusting the same, and an indicator device for indicating the quantity of liquid to be discharged by t-he measuring device including an element connected to the operating means and adjustable incident to the adjustment of the measuring device.

24. In a device for discharging measured quantities of liquid, a tank, a measuring device thereon for predetermining the quantity .of liquid in the tank to be discharged, a

regulating device for regulating the flow of the discharged liquid, operating means connected to one of said devices and having connection with the other for simultaneous adjustment of the two devices, and an indicator device including a part carried by the connection aforesaid for indicating the quantity of liquid to be discharged from the tank under the control of the measuring device.

25. In a concrete mixer, a mixing drum, a charging device therefor adapted to charge the drum in a predetermined time, a water supply tank, means to deliver different quantities of water from the tank to the drum, and vary the flow of the water to the drum according to the quantity delivered so as to cause the flow to continue substantially throughout the time required to charge the drum and irrespective of the quantity of water delivered.

26. In a device of the class described, a tank, means for discharging a measured quantity of liquid therefrom, flow control means therefore, and means for adjusting the flow control means, said last named means constituting the adjusting means foradjusting the discharging means aforesaid through said flow control means.

27. In a device of the. class described, a tank, means for discharging a measured quantity of liquid therefrom, flow control means therefor, and means for variably adjusting the discharging means through the flow control means.

28. In .a device of the class described, a tank, means for discharging a measured quantity of liquid therefrom, flow control means carried thereby, and common actuating means for said. discharging and flow control means whereby to adjust the same to deliver variable quantities of liquid at a relatively constant rate of flow.

29. In a device of the class described, a tank, a measuring tube mounted therein and adjustable to deliver varied quantities of liquid, means controlling the effective area of the entrance to said tube, and means for adjusting the latter to maintain said area so relatively proportioned with relation to the quantity to be discharged as to discharge the different quantities in substantially the same period of time.

30. In a device of the class described, a tank, a measuring tube mounted therein and adjustable to vary the height of the entrance thereto, a valve slidably mounted at said entrance to control the operative area, and actuating means for said valve for shifting the same to vary the operative area of the entrance, said means also effecting adjustment of the tube through said valve shifting operation.

31. In a device for discharging a measured quantity of liquid, a tank, a measuring tube in said tank swingingly mounted for up and down movement to vary the position of its mouth and thereby control the quantity of liquid discharged therefrom, a valve coacting with the mouth of said tube for controlling the rate of flow of the liquid, and means for simultaneously swinging the tube and adjusting the valve.

32. In a device for discharging a measured quantity of liquid, a tank, a measuring tube in said tank swingingly mounted for up and down movement to vary the position of its mouth and thereby control the quantity of liquid discharged therefrom, a valve coacting with the mouth of said tube for controlling the rate of flow of the liquid. and actuating means pivotally mounte in spaced relation to the axis of movement of the tube and connected to the valve for adjusting the elevation of the tube and the position of the valve with relation to the mouth of said tube.

33. In a device for discharging a measured quantity of liquid, a tank, measuring means movably mounted in said tank, actuating means therefor comprising a shaft extending into the tank and operatively connected to said measuring means within the tank, and actuating means connected to the shaft exteriorly of the tank, said actuating means constituting an indicator for determining the measured quantity of liquid to be discharged.

34. In a device for discharging a measured quantity of liquid, a tank, measuring meansmovably mounted in said tank, actuating means therefor comprising a shaft operatively connected to said measuring means within the tank, and actuating means connected to the shaft exteriorly of the tank, said actuating means comprising a lever arm and a pointer shiftable relative thereto.

85. In a device for discharging a measured quantity of liquid, a tank, measuring means movably mounted in said tank, actuating means therefor comprising a shaft operatively connected to said measuring means within the tank, actuating means connected to the shaft exteriorly of the tank, said actuating means constituting an indicator for determining the measured quanity of liquid to be discharged, and means on said tank with which said actuating means is engageable to hold the measuring means at its adjusted position.

36. In a device .for discharging a measured quantity of liquid, a tank, measuring means movably mounted in said tank, actuating means therefor comprising a shaft operatively connected to said measuring means within the tank, actuating means connected to the shaft exteriorly of the tank, said actuating means constituting an indicator 

